HB 1424

Brief Description: Concerning suicide prevention.

Sponsors: Representatives Orwall, Kagi, Jinkins, Gregerson, Goodman, Santos, Fey and Sawyer.

Hearing Date: 2/13/15

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

The following health professions must complete training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management every six years as part of their continuing education requirements:

• counselors and certified advisors;

• chemical dependency professionals;

• marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers;

• occupational therapy practitioners; and

• psychologists.

The following health professions must complete one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management:

• chiropractors;

• naturopaths;

• licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced registered nurse practitioners;

• physicians;

• osteopathic physicians;

• physician assistants;

• osteopathic physician assistants;

• physical therapists; and

• physical therapist assistants.

A disciplining authority may, by rule, specify the minimum training and experience that is sufficient to exempt a professional from the training requirements. A disciplining authority may also exempt a professional if he or she has only brief or limited patient contact.

The disciplining authorities governing the professions subject to the training requirements must work collaboratively to develop and maintain a model list of training programs. When updating the list, the disciplining authorities must, to the extent practicable, endeavor to include training that includes content specific to veterans. The disciplining authorities must consult with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) when identifying content specific to veterans.

Summary of Bill:

The one-time training requirement for chiropractors, naturopaths, nurses, physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physician assistants, physical therapists, and physical therapy assistants is delayed until January 1, 2016.

A disciplining authority may not grant a blanket exemption to broad categories or specialties within a profession based on training and experience.

By June 30, 2016, the Department of Health (DOH) must adopt rules establishing minimum standards for training programs on the model list. The minimum standards must require that the training include content specific to veterans and the assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors. When adopting the rules, the DOH must:

• consult with the affected disciplining authorities, public and private institutions of higher education, experts in suicide assessment, treatment, and management, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and affected professional associations; and

• consider standards related to the Best Practices Registry of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Beginning July 1, 2017, the model list may contain only trainings that meet the minimum standards. The trainings on the list must include both six-hour trainings in suicide assessment, treatment, and management and three-hour training that include only screening and referral elements. A person or entity providing the training may petition the DOH for inclusion on the model list—the DOH must add trainings to the list that meet the minimum standards.

Beginning July 1, 2017, the health professions subject to the training requirement must complete trainings that are on the model list. This does not affect the validity of training completed prior to July 1, 2017.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.